treatments
Glaucoma surgery
DEFINItion
Congenital glaucoma is a disease that causes increased pressure within the eye, damaging the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain. It usually occurs in the first months of a child's life or in early childhood.
Late congenital glaucoma occurs in children from 3 years of age through adolescence.
description
Congenital glaucoma surgery involves making a small fistula or opening in the inner part of the eye to facilitate the exit of the liquid contained in it.
This can be done in the eye using a procedure called goniotomy or outside it, using a procedure called trabeculotomy.
Postoperative
The postoperative period, as with other ophthalmic surgeries, is not painful. Eye drops should be used for one month.
Since congenital glaucoma is a disease originating in a malformation in the anterior part of the eye, it is necessary to monitor for this disease during the rest of the patient's life.
Three months after surgery, and then every four to six months, controls under general anesthesia should be performed, through which the various parameters leading to diagnosis are measured again.
These include eye pressure, corneal diameter and length of the eyeball.
Results expected
As with any eye disease, the success of the procedure depends on the severity of the disease and early diagnosis and treatment. International statistics show a success rate of 75% to 80% with a single procedure.
If goniotomy or trabeculotomy fails, the procedure should be repeated.
In more serious cases, a valve should be placed.
The valve is a very small device that is fixed to the eyeball and communicates with its interior, to facilitate the outflow of intraocular fluid.